Study finds parents butting out in front of kids

A new study released today has found that more of Victoria's parents are deciding not to smoke in the presence of their children.

Data released today as part of the Quit Evaluation Studies Volume 10 shows more than half of smokers surveyed admitted they do not smoke at all in the presence of children, an increase of almost 20% since the last study in 1996.

The study was conducted by the Anti-Cancer Council's Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, and published as part of the Quit Evaluation Studies Volume 10 released today.

Director of the Centre, Professor David Hill says this latest study shows there has been a significant change in smokers' behaviour in the past 10 years.

'Since 1989, the proportion of smokers who do not smoke around children has jumped from 13% to 51%. Only 10% of smokers say the presence of children has no affect on the amount they smoke,' Professor Hill said.

The rate of smokers deliberately going outside the home to smoke has more than doubled in 5 years, with the latest figures showing 43% always smoke outside.

The number of people who discourage visitors smoking in their home has also risen dramatically over the last ten years - more than two thirds of Victorians discourage others smoking in their homes, an increase of over 30% since 1989.

Even a third of households with smokers discourage visitors from smoking in their homes.

Quit Executive Director Mr Todd Harper said the study's findings were cause for optimism that parents could be encouraged to take the next step and quit for good.

'That is the best outcome for themselves and their children are more likely to take up the habit if their parents are smokers,' Mr Harper said.